LETTER TO THE EDITOR – Reader frustrated by Thon – The Collegian
A sophomore is reminded that THON season is coming and laments the myopia and sanctimonious attitudes of some THON boosters that will be rammed down the Penn State community’s collective.

What bugs me about THON is that some people and groups involved with it believe they are above criticism, rules or even laws because of participation in the event. Take this letter from a Delta Sigma “brother” last year in which he scapegoats the university for his frats bad behavior:

Penn State isn’t “for the kids.” After shutting down the Delta Sigma fraternity, the head of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Penn State, Kevin Kerr, informed the members of Delta Sigma that the punishment also prohibits participation in the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Council Dance Marathon (“Fraternity loses status, residence,” Nov. 29).

Of course, he neglects to mention why his frat lost their charter or that they could still donate money to the cause just without their Greek letters on it. I responded to his manipulative argument with my own letter:

Philanthropic participation does not excuse bad behavior. Being responsible and noble is an everyday thing and not merely reserved for a few autumn Saturdays standing on the side of the road or a long February weekend in Rec Hall. The university thinks the members of Delta Sigma chose to ignore that fact and it has acted accordingly. O’Brien’s blaming of the university is inappropriate and shameless.

I wonder if those letters made him realize what a jerk he sounded like in his letter.

If you want to support kids with cancer without involving bunch of otherwise bad people playing the “kids with cancer card” to gain “moral superiority” you can donate directly to the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.